Rehydration Recipe for a Vomiting Baby

We've arrived at the time of the year when influenza and various stomach viruses reek havoc on many tiny bellies. One of the chief concerns for an ill child - especially an infant whose body can become off balance very quickly - is dehydration. For a baby who is not breastfed, this can be even more devastating, more rapidly, because the gut is not lined with the protective antibodies needed to prevent further downward spiraling from the body's protective reaction (vomiting and diarrhea) to unfriendly viruses and bacteria.

In his excellent book, Take Charge of Your Child's Health, Dr. George Wootan, M.D., writes:

Vomiting is a much more serious problem than diarrhea, although most people have come to associate the two and consider them as more or less equal threats. The danger of dehydration is much greater with vomiting than with diarrhea, and the smaller the child, the faster her condition can become serious. You must be extremely vigilant when dealing with an infant who is vomiting. If the baby is breastfed, the vomiting will generally occur shortly after a feeding. (Spitting up a small amount of milk after nursing is normal and not a cause for concern; if the baby is really vomiting, most of a feeding will come back up again, and the milk will smell sour, as it is partially digested.) In this case, put the baby back on the nearly empty breast, and let her nurse again. If she vomits again, you'll have to cut down the amount of milk she is receiving. You may assume that this means that you should cut back to, say, 15 minutes of nursing, since you normally nurse for 30 minutes. However, since a baby can empty 90% of the milk in a breast in seven minutes, this will not significantly change the amount she receives. 

Instead, Wootan suggests following a rehydration/feeding schedule as described below. He assures parents that, while difficult, "following this schedule of nursing and waiting will prevent dehydration in the vast majority of cases, so it is well worth enduring your baby's mild discomfort" to avoid a more traumatic hospital stay that would otherwise result due to dehydration. Wootan has been teaching this technique to parents in his practice for the past 20 years now, and said he does not know of any case where it has failed to work (to ward off dehydration and need for hospitalization).

Note: The following rehydration schedule is meant for babies and toddlers under the age of four.


For those who are nursing, or have access to human milk (including that which is pumped and given by bottle, supplemental nursing system, syringe, cup, or wet nurse):

If baby solely has diarrhea, without vomiting:

Nurse, nurse, nurse. On cue, and for as long as baby wishes to nurse. Diarrhea alone is not as serious as vomiting, and as long as a baby is still nursing throughout the day and night, with wet diapers or trips to the bathroom to pee, s/he should be okay. Human milk is thee best thing for baby (of any age) at this point, and no other foods should be given to those under the age of 2 until they feel better. For babies and young children over the age of 2, allow them to eat foods as they wish, but it is wise to cut out cow's milk products which often increase gut irritation and diarrhea.


If baby has vomiting (with or without diarrhea) follow this pattern. If at any point baby vomits, go back two steps and continue again:

Nurse 15 seconds, wait 15 minutes. If baby has not vomited again, continue:
Nurse 30 seconds, wait 14 minutes.
Nurse 35 seconds, wait 13 minutes.
Nurse 40 seconds, wait 12 minutes.
Nurse 45 seconds, wait 11 minutes.
Nurse 50 seconds, wait 10 minutes.
Nurse 55 seconds, wait 9 minutes.
Nurse 1 minute, wait 8 minutes.
Nurse 65 seconds, wait 7 minutes.
Nurse 70 seconds, wait 6 minutes.
Nurse 75 seconds, wait 5 minutes.
Nurse 80 seconds, wait 4 minutes.
Nurse 85 seconds, wait 3 minutes.
Nurse 90 seconds, wait 2 minutes.
Nurse 95 seconds, wait 1 minute. If baby has not vomited again at this point, s/he should be safe to resume nursing on cue, as s/he wishes. If vomiting begins again, repeat the cycle starting at 15 seconds of nursing to 15 minutes of waiting and continue.

For babies and children under age 4 who are not nursing and do not have access to human milk:

When you have access to a pediatric electrolyte solution, such as Pedialyte and Pedialyte popsicles, you may wish to use this. The solution is sold at virtually every grocery store, supermarket, and pharmacy (as well as many gas stations) across the country.

If Pedialyte or a similar pre-made solution is not available, or you wish to make your own for whatever reason, this is the oral rehydration formula put together by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is used extensively in nations where babies are at high risk of dying from dehydration due to bacteria-induced diarrhea (commonplace when babies are not breastfed and face the perils of a disastrous formula mixed with unclean water). The WHO has credited this rehydration recipe with saving hundreds of thousands of babies around the world.

Oral Rehydration Formula
(measure exactly!)
1 teaspoon sodium chloride (table salt)
1/2 teaspoon sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
4 teaspoons potassium chloride (salt substitute)
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 quart water

Feeding schedule (Pedialyte or home made solution):

In the same way as the nursing schedule (above), you will feed baby tiny amounts, increasing in volume, while decreasing waiting time in between.

Feed 1 tablespoon, wait 15 minutes.
Feed 2 tablespoons, wait 14 minutes.
Feed 3 tablespoons, wait 13 minutes.
Feed 3 1/2 tablespoons, wait 12 minutes.
Feed 4 tablespoons, wait 11 minutes.
Feed 4 1/2 tablespoons, wait 10 minutes.
Feed 5 tablespoons, wait 9 minutes.
Feed 5 1/2 tablespoons, wait 8 minutes.
Feed 6 tablespoons, wait 7 minutes.
...continue to increase, in small amounts, the solution with each feeding, and decrease time. If at any point baby vomits, go back two steps and resume.

NOTE: Unlike with human milk, you can give too much Pedialyte or homemade solution. When nursing, and feeling better, a baby can breastfeed as much and as often as s/he wishes. However, when not nursing, and only preventing dehydration with electrolyte solutions, a baby should not consume more than 2.1 ounces of the liquid per pound of body weight. After this, if baby is consuming formula, then that should be used (mixed correctly with clean water). If baby/toddler is older, s/he should consume clean water to quench thirst for additional fluids beyond the 2.1 oz/lb body weight.

Example:

This means if a baby weighs 15lbs, for example, s/he should not consume more than 31.5 ounces of the solution in one 24 hour period.

15 lbs x 2.1 oz = 31.5 oz

If the child weighs 30lbs, she should not consume more than 63 ounces in one 24 hour period. If your child is still thirsty after this, use clean water to quench thirst. For non-breastfed babies, use formula.

30 lbs x 2.1 oz = 63 oz

A baby who is not receiving human milk should be switched to a formula that is free of lactose if s/he is not already on one. Lactose (and cow's milk proteins) only work to increase gut irritation, diarrhea, and reflux. Also note that this rehydration fluid (no matter which is used) cannot take the place of formula for more than 12 hours if a baby is not breastfeeding and solely receiving nourishment through formula. This is very important as we've seen many babies brought into the emergency care clinic who have lapsed into coma, or are already 'brain dead' as a result of parents watering down formula for weeks on end, believing they were hydrating their baby, but actually starving their infant in the process. Formula *must* be mixed according to the directions on the can. If you are unsure, call your doctor with questions.

Breastfed babies are getting all the nutrients and electrolytes and fluids they need through human milk. They need nothing more. However, formula fed babies will need the electrolyte solution as well as formula to stay nourished, hydrated, and even in their electrolyte balance. The situation for them is much more complicated, and illness more serious, which is one of many reasons we see greater problems (starvation, dehydration, malnourishment) among non-breastfed babies.

After a period of time without vomiting episodes (most physicians will say 12 hours, or when the toddler tells you he feels like eating more), start with small amounts of vegetable juice, fruit juice, chicken broth, homemade broths, jello (or other easy to consume liquid items). If they are well tolerated, move to items like rice, oats, or barley. If this goes well, gradually bring a child back to a normal diet over the course of 3-4 days. Babies under the age of 2 years should continue to exclusively breastfeed for as long as they choose to do so. If your 18 month old only wants to nurse for a solid week (or two!), that is okay and beneficial for him. He is getting all he needs from your milk and there is no reason to push any other foods upon him until he leads the way to do so.

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Q&A: High Needs Child

 

Mother & Daughter by Willowtree

We've been doing a Q&A for quite some time now on the peaceful parenting Facebook page. It is excellent because many others are able to chime in - with their experiences and suggestions that come from around the world (literally). Often times, there are ideas and sources of information that we were previously unaware of. It is good to see parents coming together to empower each other with baby/child-friendly methods and sources of assistance and ideas.

Occasionally, however, there are pressing questions that just cannot be contained into a 120 character count status inquiry. And often times, the same general questions are repeated again and again and again by various parents who come along seeking gentle parenting help. As such, we've decided to move some of the Q&A over to this site as well, so that we might be able to fully expand on parents' questions, and log answers in an off-FB format to easily direct others to who pose similar questions.

Questions sent to us will always be anonymous (unless the question asker wishes to use his/her name) and minor changes may be made to make the question more readable or take out identifying features to ensure privacy in posting.

Today's question comes from a mom in Peru who is struggling with her 'high needs' four year old. We invite you to chime in on the conversation here, as she will be reading comments that others leave. 

Question: 

I feel at the end of my rope. My daughter is extremely difficult and challenging. She was a High Needs baby and now, just turning four, she is a High Needs child. I feel I have done all the things I was “supposed” to do. I am a loving mommy. I had a home birth, I cloth diaper, I breastfed until she was just over 2 years old, she sleeps in our bed after 4am, I wore her as a baby, I am consistent…and yet,
She does not listen. 

We have moments (few and far between) during the day where it is nice, but for the most part it is awful. I hate to say that but it is. I am at the point where I am really starting to not like her. It is hard to consistently be loving and fun when she is so hard. We do not have fun anymore because she barely listens to the basics of what I tell her to do (getting dressed, brushing teeth, putting on shoes) everything is a fight. I have increased her preschool hours because I have a really hard time dealing with her. I feel awful saying this. She is my daughter. I want to love her. I want to have fun with her. I have all these things I would love to do…and yet they don’t happen because before we get to them she is having a fit about something. 

Part of the problem is that she does not play by herself – for even 10 minutes. It drives me crazy. She constantly has to be with me and needs me to play, read, do everything with her. I am so far behind in my house, cooking, and everything because it is near impossible to do anything with her around. And that makes me resentful too. 

I do have another child - a 17 month old son who is the exact opposite of her. He is a delight, he plays by himself, he sleeps, he naps, he smiles. I feel bad because I feel I don’t give him the attention he deserves because I am always dealing with her. I also feel bad because I feel I am starting to favor him – which I know is an awful thing to do. 

Please, I am reaching out to other holistically minded moms for help. I am at the end of my rope with her and just don’t know what to do or where to go from here. 

Thank you!!

Note:

The book, Raising Your Spirited Child, may be of interest to parents facing similar situations. Other gentle discipline and parenting books can also be found here.

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Toronto Art Exhibit Highlights Women in their Mothering Journey: Living in the Body

Photographs of paintings on this page ©Amanda Greavette

If you are in the Toronto area, you don't want to miss this amazing primal mothering art exhibit! Artist and mother, Amanda Greavette, creates life-size, large scale figure paintings of women, narrating stories of identity transformation and relationship shifts. Her subjects are often in the process of becoming mothers - pregnant, laboring, or fresh with a newborn. Greavette's decorative and richly painted backgrounds illustrate the beauty and intensity of this monumental life change and provide context for the experiences of the figures. In the paintings, the female body is both powerful and vulnerable, and the stories they tell are both real and fantastic.

In her artist statement, Greavette notes:

I'm interested in how women navigate the dramatic process of childbearing and how it shapes and changes their identity. I aim to create work that is provocative, beautiful and heavy with emotion and symbol. The paintings represent an intensely personal but simultaneously universal and ageless experience. Much beauty and drama is lived through a woman's body, in ways that can be both empowering and debilitating. The pieces I make have a narrative that unfolds according to the viewers' own experiences, but also represent aspects of the larger story of women's history. I hope women can see their own stories mimicked in the paintings, as well as emotions, beliefs and experiences they may not be able to express or fully explain.

Greavette graduated in 2004 with a BFA from the Ontario College of Art and Design in Toronto. Since 2005 she has been exhibiting regularly in both group and solo shows. Greavette is mom to three little ones, ages 6, 3 1/2, and 21 months. She is currently expecting her fourth baby in April 2011. A peaceful parenting reader who knows Greavette well added that she is, "a wonderful attachment parenting mother, La Leche League leader, founder of our local Friends of Muskoka Midwives group, and is now using her art to show the beauty of birth to the public." In The Birth Project, Greavette accepts mothers' photos from their own births to turn into magnificent masterpieces.

If you can make it down to Gallery 1313 in Toronto, Ontario, this week or next, take advantage of this outstanding opportunity to breathe in some of Greavette's amazing work.

The Birth Project (blog)

Calendar of Events

“Living in the Body" November 4-14

Gallery 1313

 1313 Queen Street West. 
Toronto

Gallery Hours: Wed-Sun 1-6pm

Amanda Rose Greavette (homepage)

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Hyland's Teething Tablets

Grumble, grumble... I'm slightly irritated (okay, a bit more than slightly) that all my great plans to stock up on Hyland's Teething Tablets in order to supply any and all of our parents with them when they were needed/requested have been foiled. My orders - from 3 different suppliers - made within an hour of the FDA statement - have all been canceled with an "urgent" warning that they figure I must not know about...

In her post at Gaia Health, Heidi Stevenson notes that,

The FDA's goal of making the world safe for Big Pharma is made obvious by their attack on a product for which the possibility of harm is so far-fetched that it's laughable: Hyland's Homeopathic Teething Tablets. Well, it would be laughable if it weren't for the fact that an exceptionally safe product that's been used by thousands to ease their children's teething pains is now gone.

And here is where my irritation resides. Rather than give consumers the facts and let them decide for themselves, a product, which was never 'dangerous' to begin with, has been removed from the market and the company given a bad name by those who haven't the slightest clue (mass media, bloggers, store clerks) what they are talking about. In fact, the FDA never tested Hyland's in the first place (as is commonly not done with homeopathic items). They clearly state:

The FDA has not evaluated Hyland’s Teething Tablets for safety or efficacy.

Stevenson has already detailed many of the same points I was planning to make in response to the FDA ban, so I'll direct you to read her words here. 

It seems, however, that until Hyland's appeases the FDA with a re-release of their teething tablets fully equipped with a child-proof lid (and some possible ingredient tampering) we're high and dry for teething tablets around these parts. All our local vendors are out, and while there is at least one Whole Foods Store that still has them for customers signing a waiver stating they read the FDA recall, it is a full 3 hours away...

My main concern? That the ingredients themselves will be changed, interfering with the effectiveness of Hyland's Teething Tablets before their arrival back on the market.

If you are searching for teething relief at your house, try any of the great suggestions brought up on this list of effective solutions. You may also like Humphrey's Teething Pellets (with the same main ingredients as Hyland's and equally dissolved in the cheek) or Washington Homeopathic Products' similar teething tablets here.

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Model, Nell McAndrew, on NIP and Child-led Weaning

Popular model, television presenter, and fitness video instructor, Nell McAndrew, 35, says she is determined to let her son, Devon, self-wean in his own perfect timing. McAndrew recently told Caroline Jones why child-led weaning and nursing in public, are natural, normal, and the way she's electing to raise her son (below). Others have pointed out that McAndrew would likely not be getting as much positive attention for her natural weaning if she wasn't already a well-known, and well-liked celeb. It seems when the 'average' mom sticks up for a normal duration of human nursing, she is oft made to feel out of place in our baby-unfriendly culture. But I feel the more who speak up, the better - be they famous or not. So, thank you, Nell - on behalf of your son for giving him a natural, healthy start in life, and from the rest of us nursing toddlers in a frequently myth filled world.

Some of the mums at playgroup have told me they think it’s weird that I’m still breastfeeding my son Devon at two and a half. I get negative comments all the time, but that’s their problem. Breastfeeding is the most natural thing in the world – and it’s so good for my son that I don’t see any reason to stop.

I would never tell other women they have to breastfeed because it’s down to individual choice. And by the same token if a mum wants to carry on breastfeeding until their child is five, six or seven that that’s fine too. But because breastfeeding beyond about a year is still so taboo, people can make you feel very uncomfortable about it.

Now if people ask why I’m still breastfeeding I say, ‘Well why not?’ Instead of having to think up an explanation to satisfy them, I think they should give me some actual proof of why it’s a bad thing. They never can.

Anyway, if it was ‘wrong’ or ‘not natural’ to breastfeed toddlers, the body wouldn’t keep making milk. When you actually talk about it to other mums you find lots of women carry on breastfeeding for longer than a year. There’s nothing odd about it.

And it really annoys me when people complain about women breastfeeding in public. They should mind their own business – I just don’t see the problem. It’s such a normal, natural thing. I always drape muslin over my shoulder for some privacy, but have breastfed everywhere, on trains, cafes – anywhere. I’ve had a few dirty looks, but no one ever asked me to move.

It’s ironic when getting your breasts out in other areas is actively encouraged – something as an underwear model I’m well aware of! But I think of my breasts in a different way now – they used be a priority which is why I had a boob job at 23 to take me from a size 34B to 34D. Now they have a different function - to feed my baby - you suddenly realize that’s really what they’re there for!

Breastfeeding in public places should be welcomed. Cafes should go over and offer breastfeeding women a glass of water to welcome them – you get really thirsty when you breastfeed! And it makes good business sense. Outside of lunchtime, it’s mums who sit around together having coffees that bring good trade.

It would be great if women could feel more comfortable. And of course breastfeeding is the perfect credit crunch solution: it’s free! With all the financial problems now, if mums want to save money they should breastfeed.

For me it was a personal choice, and not something I was forced to do – and that’s important because when you’re a new mum the last thing you need is added pressure. My mum had four children and breastfed all of us, so I was keen to do the same. It wasn’t easy at first and after four days of trying, I was ready to give up. But my health visitor was great and showed me how to get Devon to latch on properly. Nobody had told me how painful it could be though – sore, cracked nipples were something I’d never thought about. You think ‘Is there no end to this, does it not get better?’ But it does once you get over the first couple of weeks.

I didn’t plan to still be feeding Devon now but it’s ended up being the best thing for us both. You read all the books, but at the end of the day it’s about what works for you. Plus, the longer I’ve breastfed him the more I’ve found out about the benefits and that’s made me want to carry on even longer.

Gentle mom does everything 'right' and still loses her baby boy

I can't keep the tears from flowing today for a beautiful new momma who worked so very hard to bring her son peacefully into this world, and provide the absolute best for him during each and every moment of his brief seven days of life on this earth.

Right from the beginning, April diligently researched all aspects of motherhood - pregnancy, birth, and baby care - to be certain she was making the very best choices for her child at every step of the way. With each decision, throughout the course of her baby's growth both inside and out, April made choices that fully supported an optimal wellbeing for her beautiful new baby boy. Her friend, Kristen, says that, "Everything she ate, drank, thought, and breathed was to make her son happy and healthy." April was prepared for motherhood better than most ever hope to be, and was destined to be an amazing mom to this new little life.


April gently birthed her baby boy, Fox, into this world on October 20th. She announced his arrival, "Happy birthday little Fox Elijah King!" while she nursed him, held him close to her heart, and fought off knife-happy Minnesota hospital staff to keep him intact. She told friends that Fox "nursed like crazy for an hour at least" and he truly was blessed with the most loving start in life.

Fox's father, Morgan, was a solid foundation of support to April, encouraging her through labor and birth, and being a very present, gentle Dad to his new son.


Both of their world's came crashing down when, late last week, Fox simply did not wake up from his peaceful slumber. This is a case we rarely witness - one where everything was done 'right' - where a baby had it all - a peaceful and healthy pregnancy, birth, and post-partum period, but did not survive. For seemingly no reason at all. Fox received the utmost primal parenting care, had nothing toxic put into his body, nothing traumatic happen to him, no reason whatsoever to leave so suddenly. And yet, he did.

I cannot imagine the pain of wanting something so badly, preparing for it so heartily, loving so deeply, and losing it all without warning, without reason. And after you did everything you could to prevent such a thing. I wish this was a wound I could heal. With an ache in my heart for her loss, and as powerless as I am in this situation, I simply must do something to help April through this battle.

An additional burden placed on parents who lose a baby or child is the horrendous amount of money it takes to provide a loved little one with a funeral and burial to say goodbye to your baby. April is not in a position of great means, and this has especially taxed her in an already hard time. According to the U.S. Funeral Directors, the average cost of a funeral is $5,000 minimum. But we can do something to provide at least a small amount of reprieve to April so that she may start in healing.

April is someone who all babies would be lucky to call "Mom." If, at some point, she chooses to bring another life into this world, I hope she will find a community of support behind her. Until then, I'd like to honor the amazing gifts she gave to Fox, the depth of her love and protection of him, and the blessings his beautiful little life brought back to those who knew him.

Please, even if you have just pennies in your PayPal account, consider helping April get back on her feet. All donations during the month of November will go to April. It could be in honor of your own child, or simply a gesture of love. Thank you for caring so much for a fellow peaceful parenting momma.


*DEC 30 UPDATE: We'd like to continue to give April a bit more. She is returning to school in Jan 2011, and going to start planning for another baby. If you'd like to help her out, we will pass gifts along to her.

By Mail:

Peaceful Parenting
P.O. Box 1302
Virginia Beach, VA 23451

❃ Gifts for April ❃
(thank you so very much!)

Niki W.
Rachel J.
Dana W.
Ruth T.
Kacy K.
Charlotte B.
Runyan Family
April K.
Wysteria B.
Frances R.
Jenna H.
Kevin C.
John H.
Farrah C.
Stephanie S.
Emily S.
Kate K.
Amy G.
Stacy S.
Annie B.
Wilson H.
Orla S.
Amy B.
Kasi K.
Katie F.
Rachel O.
Nancy H.
Kathleen L.
Rose S.
Dan M.
Kathryn K.
Eddy Family
Ancient Art Midwifery Institute
Melvin T.
Sheila G.
Jessica M.
Somers Family
Kole M.
Svetlana S.
Jami M.
Mark W.
Catherine D.
MaryJo R.
Quincy B.
Teresa N.
Rachel A.
Amy G.
Lorel L.
Barbara M.
Lauren E.
Leah G.
Gwynn P.
Amanda S.
Kim C.
Amy L.
Freya B.
Kelli B.
Tara D.
Bonnie D.
Shivaya N.
Lori S.
Felicia S.
Lisa S.
David S.
Yvonne H.
Amy F.
Liliana B.
Kelly W.
Melissa C.
Sarah K.
Dina M.
 Frédérique H.
Ashley L.
Ashley V.
Pacha
Marlyn M.
Jaclyn S.
Susan W.
Stephanie D.
Kathryn G.
Summer K.
Alyson R.
Caroline B.
Catherine F.
Stella O.
Julie A.

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Forced Retraction: Don't Let it Happen to Your Son

By Peggy Fenton
Read more from Fenton at Intactivist Examiner

Jenny's pediatrician told her to start retracting her baby's foreskin for cleaning at his 12-month well baby visit. Jenny didn't do it, because she read that it's not good to retract on the internet.

At her son's 15 month well-baby visit, Jenny's pediatrician retracted the boy's foreskin herself, scolding Jenny as she did so, for neglecting her son's genital hygiene. The pediatrician told Jenny to retract her son's foreskin every day for cleaning. This time Jenny listened.

From that point on, she and her husband dutifully retracted their son's foreskin for cleaning, almost every day. This continued until the boy was 18 months old.

Then one day, Jenny noticed her son had not wet his diaper all afternoon. He cried at bath time as he dribbled a little urine. Soon the baby was screaming each time he tried to urinate.

Jenny's son's foreskin was infected, as a result of being retracted long before it was meant to be. By retracting the foreskin, Jenny's pediatrician had severed the fragile connective tissue between the foreskin and glans, and prematurely stretched the sphincter opening. The internal environment was no longer sterile and the natural protective flora had been disrupted.

Instead of cleaning and caring for her son's penis, by repeatedly retracting him as her doctor insisted, Jenny had been setting him up for infection.

After several trips to the emergency room for emergency catheterization to release urine, and a painful distressing week for Jenny and her son, he finally began to mend. Jenny realized her doctor had given her bad advice.

Jenny went online where she quickly connected with other mothers of intact boys, eager to share the intact care information so commonly lacking among American doctors.

What did Jenny find out?

* Only clean what is seen, and never retract. The foreskin is there for a reason - to protect the still developing glans, and to keep it clean and healthy. It is supposed to be attached to the glans during infancy and childhood.

* Forced premature retraction is epidemic among American healthcare workers, including pediatricians, and nurses, even doctors and nurses in the maternity ward. It is also epidemic among day care workers, babysitters, and well-meaning but misinformed aunties and grannies.

* Parents of intact boys must remain vigilant during the diaper years to prevent another person from prematurely retracting their son's foreskin. Parents must proactively warn doctors and nurses at every well baby visit that their son's foreskin is not to be retracted. It can happen in an instant, and then the damage is done. Parents should be direct and firm. If necessary, they may even threaten legal action if their wishes are not respected.

* If a doctor or health care worker prematurely retracts your child, consider reporting them to your state medical society, supplying all the details.



Additional Information


FORCED RETRACTION:

Forced Retraction: Now What?

Only Clean What is Seen: Reversing the Epidemic of Forced Retraction

Medical Testing: Do Not Retract

Forced Retraction: Ask the Experts

Doctors Opposing Circumcision - Warning to Parents: Foreskin Retraction of Intact Boys - an epidemic

Doctors Opposing Circumcision - Development of Retractile Foreskin

Only Clean What is Seen (pdf)


INTACT CARE:

The Functions of the Foreskin: Purposes of the Prepuce

The Phony Phimosis Diagnosis

Protect Your Intact Son

National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers Publication on care of the intact penis (pdf).

Raising Intact Sons

Basic Care of the Intact Child

Painful Urination During Prepuce Separation

Questions Regarding Normal Separation of the Prepuce

How the Foreskin Protects Against UTI

Circumcision Information Resource Page (CIRP) libray - Penile hygiene for intact males


*Note: You may wish to maintain a Diaper-On policy at check-ups to prevent this from happening. Unless there is a suspected problem, there is no reason your physician or nurse needs to remove your son's diaper. Simply state that you will be keeping it on - he can be weighed and checked with a clean diaper on, without removing it. If you'd like to learn more on how to examine your baby yourself, see the excellent book, Take Charge of Your Child's Health.

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Breastfeeding Symbol Pumpkins!

By Danelle Frisbie © 2010

Blue pumpkin hue at night was achieved by placing a small push light inside the pumpkin with blue paper covering it. 

Nothing special ~ but it worked! :) 

We had a blast this week picking out some special pumpkins from a local home-growing venue. One of the prime selections was especially chosen by our two year old (with a little help from mom) for carving up the peaceful parenting breastfeeding advocacy pumpkin this year.

While I am entirely devoid of artistic talent, I decided to give it a shot and see what we could come up with. 

The project was a lot of fun, and the result was surprisingly fitting to display on the front steps at peaceful parenting as well. 

Have your own lactation pumpkin to display? 

Drop a note to us at DrMomma.org@gmail.com and we'll add them here...

Coming in 2001 Breastfeeding Pumpkin Carving Contest!!

From Job Description: Mommy

From Kineret Spector, who carved "Boob" instead of "Boo!" on the pumpkin's side.

Baby tee from the Made By Momma Breastfeeding and Halloween collections


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Genital Autonomy Child Symbol Pumpkin Carving

By Danelle Frisbie © 2010


Whether or not my son will grow up to be a baby-saver is yet to be seen. But he did a great job selecting the perfect pumpkin for our genital autonomy carving. You can download this version of the pumpkin carving pattern that I sketched by hand for our pumpkin purposes (and had help cleaning up for a final version) here.

a little help from Dad

These tall pumpkins were heavier than first meets the eye...

Helping to clean out the 'good stuff' inside (for pumpkin seed baking!) and the carving begins...

I enjoy keeping the cut out pumpkin parts intact, to replace them for a silhouette style look in the dark. It is something I have fond memories of my dad doing with his funny pumpkin ears, eyes and noses when we were little.

We had a good (not so creepy) time doing a little in-the-dark photo shoot:

Above: GA Child Symbol in place for the lighted silhouette effect

Below: GA Child Symbol removed for the natural fully 'carved' effect

After we finished carving our GA pumpkin here on the homefront, we found that another friend did just the same. Guggie Daly writes at The Daily Guggie Daly and showcased some pumpkins here. Her creation reads, "Circumcision: The more you know...the SPOOKIER it gets!"

Mom to a brand new little boy, born unassisted in water at home under the harvest moon, Daly recently noted that, "I did not 'choose' to keep my son intact any more than parents 'choose' to let their newborns keep their legs, arms, nose, etc. It's a non-decision." Isn't that the truth!

A wise, yet commonsense thought for the season:

"Remember: Carve pumpkins, not babies!"
~ Chris McCaw

For additional resources on intact information, see:
DrMomma.org/2014/12/should-i-circumcise-my-son-pros-and.html

In spirit of the season, Christina of Intact Iowa

shares this photo of her son in his "Cut Pumpkins. Not Babies." tshirt from Made By Momma.

COMING IN OCT 2011: 


Genital Autonomy Pumpkin Carving Contest!! 


Winner will receive a whole stash of genital integrity items ($20 value) to share in your area and save more babies from this spooky horror.

Request a set of Halloween Info Cards here.

UPDATE: These sketches and pumpkins were carved in 2009. At the time there was no other existing symbol to represent our core beliefs of genital autonomy and advocacy in this area. Pumpkins were carved for fun, as a family, and shared with the community. As of 2013, the NOCIRC Child Symbol is a trademarked symbol. Per their request, please refrain from using the symbol in the future, for any reason, including family pumpkin carving at home, as it is reserved for their exclusive use. 

A copyright free symbol, created by Megan Oregon in 2011, and signed into the public domain for use by any and all advocates of genital autonomy is available to use for future pumpkin carving family fun. 

Genital Autonomy Pumpkin Carving Pattern

International Symbol of Genital Autonomy

Pumpkin Carving Pattern

Note: It may be necessary to open the image in a new window, save, and print as large as you need for your individual pumpkin size.

Above: International Symbol of Genital Autonomy (copyright-free). You are welcome to use this symbol in any of your creations - for sale or otherwise - and to represent any group, merchant, school, location, organization or event that holds the values of genital autonomy for all at its foundation. This symbol was created by Megan Oregon and signed into the public domain in 2011. Learn more about this symbol at: GenitalAutonomySymbol.org

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UPDATE
Below: NOCIRC's Genital Autonomy Child Symbol. As of 2013, this symbol is copyrighted for use by NOCIRC and the International Symposium. It is not free for use by all advocates of genital autonomy, unless permission has been granted by the copyright holding body and proceeds go back to NOCIRC and the Symposium. Advocates for genital autonomy have been asked to *not* use the NOCIRC symbol in their awareness raising efforts.  Learn more about this symbol at: GenitalAutonomy.eu  To read of how this version of the pumpkin carving pattern came to be and see some photos of pumpkins other families have made in past years, see: Genital Autonomy Pumpkin Carving.

Killer at Large

By Danelle Frisbie © 2010

Before I became a parent I had a plan. For many things, really. But one was that my children would not be getting heavily processed or sugar-filled foods for the first 5 years of life. I'd met other parents who'd done the same, and I desired equally vibrant, healthy children. I looked forward to nursing my babies for a normal duration of years - allowing them to self-wean in their own perfect timing. I'd taken numerous nutrition and child health development courses throughout my graduate studies, and was certain this was one easy task I would not fail at.

Arrive baby #1. And I learn a big hard lesson: Life rarely goes according to 'plan.'

Our (first) son was exclusively breastfed until 10 months of age. Our initial goal was 12 months, but by the time he crossed that 8 month mark he was walking, and by 10 months he had 8 teeth ready for chewing. Needless to say, he walked over to that first non-breastmilk item (which happened to be steamed asparagus), picked it up with his chubby-baby-fat fingers, and ate like he'd been doing it all along... I'm all for baby-led weaning, and this is exactly what took place.

Until the age of 18 months his diet primarily consisted of momma milk with an assortment of wholesome vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. He became famous for eating all the tomatoes, beans, and broccoli available - and likely would ask for yours as well if you dined with us. He was healthy, happy, and still, my chunky monkey. But despite what people said about his baby fat (and being off the charts in growth - wearing 4T clothes by the time he was 2) I was comforted to know that anything and everything that had gone into his body was pure and good. Up to that point.

And then came the lecture tour. I thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to guest lecture at several universities in various states each year, and fortunately, my toddler likes the thrill of tagging along. But unfortunately for us both, this venture resulted in an end to his 'perfect' eating. With time restraints and travel, in and out of hotel lobbies and airports, I did the one thing I said I'd never do: gave my child McNuggets to eat for supper.

And so, by the time his second year of life rolled around, I'd already fallen short of my original aspirations for an ideal diet. This is a subject that weighs heavily (no pun intended) on my mind - always wishing to do not just a mediocre job at mothering, but really, truly, setting my children up on a path that leads to their optimal wellbeing.

There are likely two reasons, then, that this McDonald's ad (above) caught my eye. First, it mimics the act of nursing at the breast - truly a human being's most perfect and vital food for a lifetime of wellness. And second, because it reflects the exact antithesis of human milk and healthy consumption for babies and children.

I'm not entirely certain what the goal was for this ad - surely it is eye-catching in a distorted sort of way. I've heard others suggest that it could be read as "what mom eats, baby eats" (although I doubt that was McDonald's intention). Possibly, it portrays the burger as loving, gentle, and nurturing - filled with goodness and all the nourishment we could hope for - an item we've securely attached to, one that we long for, and depend on. Even as a baby is sustained, with all needs met, at his mother's breast, so are we by McDonald's hamburgers.

I'll leave the ad dissection up to the media lit gurus, but the film in which this advertisement is highlighted (presented as an example of how media images can hurt, rather than help, our children) is worth watching. Killer at Large was released two years ago, but I first viewed the film recently, and was impressed that the authors take it beyond the "eat healthy, exercise more" cliche. They give due time to media outlets and advertising which tends to prey on children's desires, but also zero in on how stress - and the fear factor in America - is intertwined with our growing waistlines.

Hormones are monumentally powerful factors in our lives - controlling and impacting everything from sex, pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding to eating, wellness, energy, and death. Still, there is very little we understand about hormones, and the more we learn, it seems the more we realize how much there is still left to discover. This is especially true when it comes to women's health (as hormones flux drastically on a day to day basis, monthly cycle, and over the course of life change events). Killer at Large includes discussion of cortisol, a stress hormone, and how it has, for all of human history (including the present day), sent messages to the brain to EAT and messages to the gut to STORE. The survival of the fittest depended on it through most of human history - my body, for example, seems to be built to withstand even the most troublesome of famines! And here we see a bit of insight into the complexity of this 'killer at large.' All the healthy eating and exercise in the world may not be enough to save you if you are stressed beyond belief and your cortisol (and other stress hormones) are through the roof.

But I'll let you go give the film a view for yourself... and come back to share your two-cents with me here if you like. The trailer below does not do the film justice, but I include it anyway with links for further investigation, additional good films on (food) related subjects, and some excellent books for checking out.

As an aside - before you click the email button to send me a message reminding me that McDonald's is not 'evil' - let me say that yes, I know this. No one corporation damages the world (although a few may come close...). And, it is my responsibility to nourish my children with hearty homecooked meals and fill their days with outside adventures, or my choice to microwave processed frozen dinners in between t.v. commercials. However, there surely are things in society which make one easier than the other. And the U.S. seems to have perfected this (the hard way) to work out against mothers, and against a healthy population of children. So, for this reason, I believe it is a subject that demands our attention.

Killer at Large DVD

On Netflix

Killer at Large Homepage

Professors/Teachers: Get a free, abridged, 26 minute version of this film to show in your classroom. The contents include enough to give a bit of background on the subject and spur class discussion. Request your DVD copy here. Also on YouTube (second video).






Related Books

1) Fast Food Nation

2) The Omnivore's Dilemma and The Omnivore's Dilemma for Kids

3) The China Study

4) In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto

5) Food Inc.: A Participant Guide

6) Food Rules: An Eater's Manual

7) The Kind Diet: A Simple Guide to Feeling Great, Losing Weight and Saving the Planet

8) Diet for a Dead Planet

9) Second Nature: A Gardener's Education

10) Stuffed and Starved: The Battle for the World's Food System

11) The Future of Food


Related Films

1) Food Inc. ~ Movie Website

2) Fast Food Nation

3) Corn Kings ~ Movie Website

4) The Cove ~ Movie Website

5) Super Size Me

6) The End of the Line ~ Movie Website

7) Food Matters ~ Movie Website

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Worcester, MA Baby in Need of Donor Milk

Baby Kareem is thriving by the power of mothers' milk

A two month old Worcester, Massachusetts baby is in need of some loving mothers to donate milk or serve as a wet nurse (nursing him when they are able). His momma, Kelley, is the founder of MilkShare - a location where parents can connect with one another to donate and receive human milk for their babies. Sometimes, however, even founders of monumentally helpful sites need a gracious hand of support as well.

Kelley writes, "I have a congenital anomaly called hypoplastic breasts that prevents me from making enough milk. I make a tiny bit - perhaps 10% - of my children's overall intake. And, to continue to produce, I feed exclusively with an SNS. I am currently tandem nursing my newborn and five year old (who was also donor milk fed via a Lact-aid and still refuses to quit even though I can nurse only on my right side)."

Kelley is a homebirth midwife, single mom, and lactivist who says she "prays that I can continue to receive enough milk for my youngest baby." She currently resides near the Worcester, MA area.

As a single mom to three beautiful little ones, Kelley cannot afford to buy or have (frozen) milk shipped to her. However, baby Kareem will gladly accept frozen milk, fresh milk, or help from moms who will serve as a wet nurse (nursing). If you live in the vicinity of Worcester, please consider helping out Kelley and Kareem.

Drop us a note at peacefulparents@gmail.com and we will connect you with Kelley.

Kelley with her children: Simon, Loren, and baby, Kareem

If you are a lactating mom in another state who would like to help a local mother and baby near you, or if you are a mom in need of donor milk or a wet nurse, please sign up on the MilkShare forum or look at this page for additional ideas on making milk sharing connections.

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My Adoptive Breastfeeding Journey

By Teglene Ryan © 2010
Read more from Teglene at The Breastfeeding Mother

I always knew I wanted to breastfeed my children. I couldn’t imagine doing it any differently. I was lucky enough to give birth to two beautiful boys and I enjoyed breastfeeding them both. Not that it was easy or without struggle, but it was what I wanted to do and loved doing it. In fact, I liked it so much, and felt so passionate about breastfeeding that I became a La Leche League Leader, so that I could help other breastfeeding moms. I really took to the idea of “Mothering through breastfeeding”. It wasn’t just a feeding method for me, but a relationship with my child.

My husband and I always talked about adopting a child who needed a family. We thought, if we can’t have kids of our own then we will adopt. Even if we can have kids of our own, maybe we will still adopt. After the birth of our second son it became clear that going through another pregnancy was not going to be good for me or our family. My doctor told me not to risk it, that my health was at stake. But we wanted another child. Well, here was our chance to adopt!

We chose to adopt a child out of foster care. We found an adoption agency that places foster children into adoptive homes. We went through all of the training, the homestudy, and all of the waiting. We were open to adopting one or two children (there are lots of sibling groups needing homes) between the ages of 0-5 years old. I knew that I really wanted to breastfeed another baby. I also knew that it was much more likely that we would get a toddler. There was also the issue of would it be okay to breastfeed a foster child? Would I just not tell anyone and do it anyway?

Either way I spent hours researching adoptive breastfeeding. I joined adoptive breastfeeding discussion boards like Ask Lenore and Four Friends. I read every book on the subject, including Breastfeeding an Adopted Baby and Relactation. I read the article Foster Breastfeeding over and over. I tracked down foster moms who had breastfed their foster babies in California (some successfully, and one who described a baby being taken from her home after the baby’s doctor “turned her in”).

On Monday July 6, 2009, we drove to South Lake Tahoe (about a 2 hour drive) to meet with a social worker. We were one of a few families they were considering placing a newborn girl with. We knew that the baby was a “safe surrender” baby, and that she was born premature. They had already asked if we would be able to go stay in Reno (where she was in the hospital) so that we could have daily visits with her in the NICU until she was ready to come home. It would be a few more weeks until she was ready.

We learned at that meeting that we had been chosen to bring her home if we wanted. Also, the hospital had just called and she was ready to go home! The social worker asked if we could go out to Reno, spend the night in the hospital with the baby, and take her home the next day. Of course we said yes (and I cried, a lot!).

At one point in the meeting the social worker looked at me and asked, “Are you going to breastfeed her?” For a moment I wondered if this was a trick question. My heart skipped a beat. But it wasn’t a trick. “We were so excited to see that you are a La Leche League Leader, and were hoping that you would plan to breastfeed her.” I knew this baby needed to be breastfed and I wasn’t going to have to do it “behind closed doors” as many fost/adopt moms told me they did.

I told them that I would if I was allowed. They couldn’t think of any reason why not, but decided that we would not talk about it any more, or put it in writing anywhere. You just never know how someone might react. People can be weird about breastfeeding.

In that meeting we also learned that this little baby was a bit of a miracle. All of the doctors and nurses at the hospital could not understand why she was alive and doing so well. She was born in a campground in the mountains above Lake Tahoe. Her birth mother did not know she was pregnant. In fact she did not know she was giving birth until she heard the baby cry. The birth mother was taken to a local hospital while the baby was flown to the NICU in Reno. To this day I don’t know if the birth mom ever saw the baby, or even knows if it is a boy or a girl. She gave very little information at the hospital when she surrendered the baby (I won’t get into the paperwork mess that her in one hospital and the baby in another at the time of surrender lead to). She said that she drank alcohol about every other week and smoked a half a pack of cigarettes a day. She told them she did no illegal drugs, however she tested positive for THC (as well as alcohol) at the hospital after the birth.

The baby weighed 3 lbs 2.8 ounces at birth. She was exposed and unreachable by rescuers for 30-45 minutes after the birth. (Even a full term newborn can quickly succumb to hypothermia right after birth, not to mention a 3 lb baby.) At first they expected she whould be in the NICU for about 2 months. She surprised everyone when she needed no help breathing and was quickly eating and gaining weight.

When we went to meet her at the hospital she was 17 days old. The NICU nurses were very nice. They had all “adopted” her temporarily. It was clear that she was a very special baby to all of them. However, she was exclusively bottle-fed formula that whole time and I was wanting to breastfeed her. I was told by the NICU nurses to “just shove it in there” when I held the bottle nipple to her mouth, waiting for her to open like she would for the breast. I was shown the “right” way to hold her and give her the bottle, with her on my lap, away from my body.

She was to be fed on a strict every 3 hours schedule. We were told to not hold her too much. “You can’t hold her so much like that when you get her home. You need to put her down so that she can sleep. She really needs to rest.” I smiled and nodded, knowing that we would be leaving in a matter of hours and that when we got home this baby would not get put down for the next several months.

The NICU doctor told us that we MUST keep her on the special 22 calories per ounce formula until she was 12 months old, no matter what her pediatrician said, no matter how well she was growing. Again I smiled and nodded, knowing full well I was going to do everything in my power to get her off of this formula. I had my own “special formula” in mind for her.

We gave her a name we had picked out for a baby girl years earlier. The next morning when we took her home she weighed 4 lbs. 0.8 ounces.

When we got home I called my LLL co-leader and she drove into town and up the mountain to my house to bring me a hospital grade, Medela Symphony breast pump and a Starter SNS. I needed to get started on bringing in a milk supply! I also went on-line and ordered a Lact-Aid, the at-breast supplementer of choice of adoptive moms. On-line I also ordered domperidone (a prescription that has the side effect of increasing prolactin levels, that is not available in the US) from a pharmacy in New Zealand.

I took my baby up to my room and lay back on the pillows on my bed. I took off my shirt and put her in only a diaper. I put her warm, tiny little body on my bare chest. She wasted no time. She threw herself down and latched onto my right breast. She started sucking and her body completely relaxed. She was home. She had found her mommy. Now, I just needed to make some milk!

The first few weeks I tried to put formula in the Starter SNS and then the Lact-Aid and feed her at the breast. She could latch on great, but her suck was weak and she could not get any of the formula through the tube. I went ahead and got a full sized SNS to try as, unlike the Lact-Aid, liquid would flow out just with gravity. I bottle fed, and then tried the SNS a couple of times a day. Eventually she could get an ounce from the SNS. Gradually I increased the number of feedings at the breast. Soon she could nurse with the Lact-Aid and get formula from that as well.

After about a month I did all of the daytime feedings with the Lact-Aid. I ordered more parts so that I only needed to wash and prepare the Lact-Aid supplies once a day. Soon I fed with the Lact-Aid around the clock and completely eliminated all bottles. I stopped pumping at this point, as she was nursing very frequently. I encouraged her to nurse for comfort, or for what little milk she could get between formula feedings.

She was such a good little nurser! She would nurse for a while on one breast, then let go and move to the other side. This is what breastfed babies will do naturally after finishing one breast, but I had to move the tube over to the other side so that she could keep eating. She would nurse and nurse for hours, even when she was getting very little milk. We would often take “nursing vacation” days when Papa took her big brothers out for the day. I carefully watched her weight gain to make sure I wasn’t being too stingy with the formula. I wanted to give her the smallest amount she needed so that she would nurse more and get more from me to help stimulate my supply.

Soon I was able to nurse her first thing in the morning and satisfy her. I would just keep nursing her until it became so frequent that it was clear she needed some formula.

I was so excited when I realized I could go from about 3am until 10 am without using formula. Then I could go until 11am, then 1pm, then 3pm! Before I knew it she would get formula at about 2 am and I didn’t need to give more until about 4 in the afternoon. I could go out of the house with her all morning and not need to bring bags of formula! I was exclusively breastfeeding for more than half the day! She soon gave up her pacifier that she came home from the hospital with. Once you have the real thing, no substitutes will do!

When it got to the point that she needed two, 2-4 ounce servings of formula in the evening I stopped using the Lact-Aid. If I had to fill one more bag or clean out the tubing one more time I was going to go crazy!! She was 5 months old when she was only breastfeeding with the exception of two bottles of formula in the evening, getting a total of 4-8 ounces per day. She would nurse both before and after the bottles of formula. I really wanted to breastfeed exclusively, but this was pretty darn good!

At 6 months old I started to offer her solid foods. She LOVED them! She was on WIC and they gave her an obscene amount of jars of fruits and vegetables and boxes of baby cereal. She gobbled it all up. Within a week we had dropped one serving of formula and the next week we dropped the last one. She was now EXCLUSIVELY BREASTFED! (Well, along with some solids, but close enough!) She never had a bottle again. In fact, the one time I left her at 9 months old for a few hours, she would have nothing to do with a bottle.

I thought that when she turned one year I would stop taking the domperidone. As I tried to wean off of it my supply really dropped. Baby got pretty frustrated. So, I did some more research and decided it was safe for me to continue to take the domperidone longer and ordered another 6 month supply. Making More Milk describes a study showing no adverse effects for people taking 120 mg/day for over 10 years, and although for a while I took as much as 160 mg/day, I am down to only 90 mg/day.

At 15 months old she is still going strong. I really enjoy nursing her to sleep at nap time and bedtime. I love cuddling in bed with her early in the morning and hearing her gulp down my milk. I can’t imagine stopping any time soon.

When I breastfed my boys my goal was to nurse them for at least two years, as this is the suggested minimum by the World Health Organization. I learned about so many benefits of breastfeeding well into toddlerhood, that I really wanted to do this. Sadly, I only nursed my boys 14 months each. We ended early for different reasons with each, but both times I was disappointed that I did not make my goal. I still feel like I let them down, even though I know that I did the best I could at the time with the given circumstances. I am hopeful that I can nurse my daughter at least 2 years, and as long as she wants. I got another chance.

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For further information about nursing your foster or adopted baby and induced lactation see:

The Adoptive Breastfeeding Resource Website

Dr. Jack Newman & Enith Kernerman: Breastfeeding Your Adoptive Baby or Baby Born by Surrogate

Adoption.com's section on breastfeeding

Induced Lactation

Another mother's experience: Breastfeeding My Adopted Child

Dr. Jack Newman Lactation Aid (homemade instructions)

Ask your local La Leche League leaders and/or lactation consultants for names of mothers who have nursed their adopted children.

Books:
Breastfeeding the Adopted Baby, by Debra Peterson
Breastfeeding an Adopted Baby and Relactation by Elizabeth Hormann

Many of the same techniques used to trigger milk supply for working mothers who must be away from their babies all day, every day, are the same gentle parenting measures that will help adoptive moms increase supply as well. For further information on these natural-hormone boosting ideas, see: Balancing Breastfeeding: When Moms Must Work.

For breastmilk donations, look into a variety of resources available.

Additional breastfeeding resources can be found here.

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